Tomie dePaola's glorious paintings are as luminous as the farolitos
that light up the Plaza in Santa Fe for the procession of Las Posadas,
the tradition in which Mary and Joseph go from door to door seeking shelter
at the inn on Christmas Eve.

This year Sister Angie, who is always in charge of the celebration,
has to stay home with the flu, and Lupe and Roberto, who are to play
Mary and Joseph, get caught in a snowstorm. But a man and woman no one
knows arrive in time to take their place in the procession and then mysteriously
disappear at the end before they can be thanked.

That night we witness a Christmas miracle, for when Sister Angie goes
to the cathedral and kneels before the statue of Mary and Joseph, wet
footprints from the snow lead up to the statue.